Device for Securely Holding Objects in Place

ABSTRACT

A device utilizing the unique properties of shape memory materials to securely hold items of varying geometric shape and size securely in place is disclosed. This device and process works equally well for securely holding in place small items, such as would be stored in a cup holder, or for securely larger items in a cargo container. By deforming the shape memory material such that it conforms to the outer dimensions of the item to be held in place a secure and tight fit is assured.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/746,132 filed May 1, 2006 is claimed.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Vehicles, such as motor vehicles, boats, and other similar vehicles,frequently include cup holders for holding beverages at a locationconvenient for use by the vehicle operator or passenger. Such cupholders can typically accommodate a number of containers of various sizeand shape such as a Styrofoam cup, beverage cans, plastic beveragebottles, and other similar devices. Such cup holders may be positionedin an easily accessible arrangement in a console position between theseats or in any other suitable arrangement. Also, the cup holders mayextend from the instrument panel of a vehicle in a retractable mountingarrangement, extend from a drawer from a center console, be positionedin a center console, or pivot outwardly from a console or armrest of avehicle so as to position the cup holder in a location readilyaccessible by the vehicle operator or passenger(s).

Due to wide variations in the size and configuration of containers thatmay be placed in a vehicle cup holder, it is often desirable to providea cup holder that may be configured to hold all or most of these variouscups and sizes. However, in doing so, it is also desirable to provide acup holder that is relatively compact, effective, and simple to make anduse. Unfortunately, conventional cup holders are often limited in thebreadth of container sizes that can be held by a cup older. Also,conventional cup holders may exert very little or no pressure on acontainer as it is placed inside the cup holder, but exert a much largeramount of pressure on the container as it is removed from a cup holder.This may result in the contents of the container been spilled as theuser removes it from the cup holder. Accordingly, it would be desirableto provide a cup holder that overcomes one or more of thesedeficiencies.

Additionally, there are numerous cargo containers of various geometricsize and shape which are used to ship large quantities of material fromone point to another. Normally, in order to prevent the contents ofthese cargo containers from moving around during shipment the contentsmust either be strapped in place or the contents must fill the cargocontainer such that there is no room for movement. Both of these methodsrequires large amounts of time to either fully pack the cargo containeror strap the material down such that it will not move during shipment.It will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that thepresently disclosed device could easily be converted for use in theseand other similar cargo containers to minimize the amount of time andeffort needed to ensure that the contents of these containers will notmove during shipment.

The present device relates generally to the use of shape memory materialin the construction of devices which can be used to hold containers orother material of various geometric shapes in place. The present devicemore specifically relates to automobile cup holders and the use of shapememory polymers to hold cups and other containers of various geometricshapes in place in the automobile while the automobile is in motion.This device and all of its embodiments features the use of shape memorymaterial, specifically shape memory polymers and shape memory polymercomposites, to allow the easy adjustment of the interior of a cup holderto match the exterior shape of the container or material, which thedevice is being used to hold in place.

2. Description of Related Art

Cup holders have been around for a long period of time. Automobiles usecup holders as an attractive feature to encourage purchasers to buycars. In today's market, cup holders, along with other features, canincrease or decrease the chances of a dealer or private owner sellingtheir cars. A cup holder which can adjust to any size cup and tightlyhold the cup in place and ensure the cup will remain in place no matterwhat the vehicle goes through, barring major accidents, is a device muchsought after by the industry.

Previous cup holders have tried to use various engineering means toensure a cup is held in place. Some of these methods include minimizingthe size of the cup holders to prevent people from placing cups of theincorrect size in them. However, by minimizing the size of the cupholders manufacturers are limiting the size of cups or devices which canbe held in place, thereby decreasing the appeal of an automobile totheir customer.

Like cup holders, shape memory polymers, hereinafter referred to asSMPs, have been around for quite a long time. First introduced in theUnited States in 1984, shape memory polymers are polymers whosequalities have been altered to give them dynamic shape memoryproperties. SMPs are polymers that derive their name from their inherentinability to return to their original memorize shape after undergoing ashape deformation. The principal method of activating the shape memoryeffect is by thermal energy. However, other methods can be used andthese are described below.

All SMPs have at least one transition temperature, hereinafter definedas T_(G), at which point the SMP transitions between a hard rigidplastic to a soft, pliable, elastomeric polymer. The process is easiestexplained through the most common activation method, which is heat,however, other activation methods can be used and are included withinthe scope of the present application. When the SMP is above its T_(G),it is soft and elastic, and below its T_(G) it is rigid. Once thetemperature of the SMP is above its T_(G) the SMP generally can bedeformed into any desired shape. The SMP must then be cooled below itsT_(G) while maintaining a desired deformed shape to lock in thedeformation. Once the deformation is locked in, a polymer network cannotreturn to its memorized or original shape due to thermal barriers. TheSMP will hold its deformed shaped indefinitely until it is again heatedabove its T_(G). When the SMP stored mechanical strain is released, theSMP will return to its “memorized” shape. It is important to note thatthe T_(G) represents the average temperature at which the materialtransitions from a rigid polymer to an elastomeric polymer. Because itis in average temperature the polymer can sometimes exhibit limitedshape memory recovery slightly below the T_(G). Typically this limitedrecovery is small enough and occurs close enough to the T_(G) that itdoes not affect the function for which the SMP is designed.

While heated above its T_(G), the SMP has the flexibility of a highquality dynamic elastomer, tolerating up to 400% or more elongation;however, unlike normal elastomers SMP can be reshaped or returnedquickly to its memorized shape and subsequently cooled into a rigidplastic, a change that can be repeated without degradation of thematerial.

The SMP transition process is a thermal molecular relaxation rather thana thermally induced crystalline phase transformation as typically seenin shape memory alloys, hereinafter referred to as SMAs. In addition,SMPs demonstrate much broader range in versatility that SMAs in shapeconfiguration and manipulation.

SMPs are not simply an elastomer nor simply a plastic. They exhibitcharacteristics of both materials depending on its temperature. Whilerigid, SMPs demonstrate the strength to weight ratio of a rigid polymer.However, normal rigid polymers under thermal stimulus simply flow ormelt into a random new shape, or simply undergo a significantdeterioration. Additionally normal polymers have no memorized shape towhich they can return. It is overcoming these disadvantages that are theprimary benefit of using SMPs. While heated and pliable SMPs have theflexibility of a high-quality dynamic elastomer, tolerating up to 400%or more elongation; however, unlike normal elastomers SMP can bereshaped or return quickly to its memorized shape and subsequentlycooled into a rigid plastic. Depending on the type of SMP used, the basechemistry involved, and the addition of other agents the activationtemperature of an SMP can be customized within a wide range oftemperatures. Currently the T_(G) of an SMP can be customized to betweenapproximately −40° F. and 600° F. or approximately −40° C. to 350° C.

There are three types of SMP's: 1) A partially cured resin, 2)thermoplastics, and 3) fully cured thermoset systems. There arelimitations and drawbacks to the first two types of SMP. Partially curedresins continue to cure during operation and change properties withevery cycle. Thermoplastic SMP “creeps,” which mean it gradually“forgets” its memory shape over time. A thorough understanding of thechemical mechanisms involved will allow those of skill in the art totailor the formulations of SMP to meet specific needs, althoughgenerally fully cured thermoset resin systems are preferred inmanufacturing.

Several known polymer types exhibit shape memory properties. Probablythe best known and best researched polymer type exhibiting shape memorypolymer properties is polyurethane polymers. Gordon, PROC of FirstInternational Conference Shape Memory and Superelastic Technology,115-120 (1994), and Tobushi et al., Pro. of First Intl. Conf. ShapeMemory and Superelastic Tech., 109-114 (1994) exemplify studies directedto properties and application of shape memory polyurethanes. Anotherpolymeric system based on cross-linking polyethylene homopolymer wasreported by S. Ota, Radiat. Physical Chemistry 18, 81 (1981). Astyrene-butadiene thermoplastic copolymer system was also described byJapan Kokai, JP space 63-179955 to exhibit shape memory properties.Poly-isoprene was also claimed to exhibit shape memory properties inJapan Kokai, JP 62-192440. Another known polymeric system, disclosed byKagami et al., Macromol. Rapid space Communication, 17, 539-543 (1996),is the class of copolymers of the stearyl acrylate and acrylic acid ormethyl acrylate. Other SMP polymers known in the art include articlesformed of norbornene or dimethaneoctahydronapthalene homopolymers orcopolymers, set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,094. Finally two othertypes of SMP that are known in the prior art are a styrene based SMPdisclosed in Tong, U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,481 and a cyanate ester based SMPdisclosed in PCT application Tong et al., PCT/US 2005/015685, filed May5, 2005, which are both incorporated herein by reference.

The primary design components of thermally activated SMPs include atleast one monomer, possibly a co-monomer, a crosslinker, and possibly aninitiator and additional filler material. A polymer engineered withshape memory characteristics provides a unique set of materialsqualities and capabilities that enhance traits inherent in the polymersystem itself. SMPs can be mechanically formulated with a transitiontemperature to match most application needs. It can be cast and curedinto an enormous variety of “memorized” shapes, from thick sheets andconcave dishes to tiny parts or a complicated open honeycomb matrix.

There are other methods besides thermal energy to activate the shapememory properties of SMP. Electromagnetic radiation, UV light andmagnetism can be used to activate the SMP. Throughout this application“activation” is defined as transitioning the material from a hard rigidstate to a soft pliable and elastic state. Additionally, throughout thisapplication “deactivation” is defined as transitioning the material froma soft pliable state to a hard rigid state.

The term “composite” is commonly used in industry to identify componentsproduced by impregnating a fibrous material with a thermoplastic orthermosetting resin to form laminates or layers. Generally, polymers andpolymer composites have the advantages of weight saving, high specificmechanical properties, and good corrosion resistance, which make themindispensable materials in all areas of manufacturing. Nevertheless,manufacturing costs are sometimes detrimental, since they can representa considerable part of the total costs and are made even more costly bythe inability to quickly and easily repair these materials withoutrequiring a complete, and expensive, total replacement. Furthermore, theproduction of complex shaped parts is still a challenge for thecomposites industry.

The limited potential for complex shape forming offered by advancedcomposite materials leaves little scope for design freedom in order toimprove mechanical performance and/or integrate supplementary functions.This has been one of the primary limitations for a wider use of advancedcomposites and cost-sensitive.

Shape memory polymer material is the critical enabling technology forthe present device. Multiple corporations provide various SMP materialsfor various applications. Among them are (A) Composite TechnologyDevelopment, Inc. (Lafayette, Colo.) www.CTD-materials.com; ILC Dover LP(Frederica, Del.) www.ilcdover.com; mnemoScience GmbH (Aachen, Germany)www.mnemoscience.com; (d) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Nagoya,Japan) www.mhi.co,jp; and (e) Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (Dayton,Ohio) www.CRGRP.com. Of the above those from Cornerstone Research GroupInc. are particularly preferred.

While there is a plethora of related art discussing cup holders and thevarious features of cup holders none of the prior art discloses a methodfor reason for combining SMPs with cup holder technology to increase theability of cup holders to hold objects of various sizes. The related artof interest describes various cup holders and the various means withwhich they attempt to hold various objects of size in place but failedto disclose the present device. There is a need for a versatile cupholder that can easily accommodate objects of vastly different geometricsizes and shapes without the use of mechanical means such as springs orpivot points which can easily fail. There is also a need for aneffective and versatile device which can securely hold the contents of acargo container in place without the use of straps or requiring thecontainer to be packed full of material. The related art will bediscussed in the relative order of perceived relevance to the presentdevice.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,458 issued to Robinson and Herrigas on Jan. 18,2005, describes a cup holder device of cylindrical design comprising aclustered or arrangement of multiple abutting spring-containingtwo-piece pins vertically group within the cylindrical container foraccepting and holding any size cup which depresses the affected pins.However, this design has several flaws which the present device overcomes. First the present device does not use metal springs of any kind.Metal springs can lose their ability to return to their original shapeover time more quickly than SMP. Additionally these metal springs posesignificant hazards because of their sharp edges. In an accident thesemetal springs can become hazardous flying missiles, if they becomeseparated from the cup holder. Additionally, because of the forcerequired to keep the springs in place the entire cavity of the cupholder container can not be used thereby limiting the size of the cupthat could be held securely in place.

An international patent publication, International Application NumberPCT/US2004/028880, International Publication Number WO 2005/023578 A2,describes an insert for cup holders in automobiles to assist the driveror passengers in holding cups of various sizes in place. The presentlypresented device does not use an insert rather relies on shape memorypolymers connected to a rigid structure to help hold containers and cupsof various size in place.

And other international patent publication, International ApplicationNumber PCT/US2005/001211, International Publication Number WO2005/073023 A1, describes a cup holder with a plurality of retainingmembers extending into a cavity wherein said or retaining members arebiased towards the inside of the cavity to securely holding container.These retaining members are designed to pivot around a substantiallyvertical axis utilizing a sprained or other biasing member to providethe retaining force necessary to hold devices in place. This device hasthe same drawbacks as that discussed in the Robinson '458 patent in thatthe springs or other biasing members will lose their force more quicklythan SMP have the potential to come apart or break more easily.Additionally, the current devices are distinguishable from theseapplications because the current device is not required the retainingmembers of SMP or SMP composite to pivot about any axis.

Japan patent publication number 7-227789 A published on Aug. 29, 1995for Katsuhiko Sugito et al. describes a device comprising a number ofparallel vertical pins arranged in a spiral on the supporting frame andheld in tension by a coiled spring attach to a winding motor. The deviceis distinguishable by requiring attention on the pins and for the samereasons mentioned above for the Robinson '458 patent in that springswill more quickly lose their biasing force than SMP.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,621 issued on Jun. 3, 1997 to Tomislav Jankovicdescribes a three stage dual cup holder apparatus for a vehiclecomprising a housing having a cavity with a base support Varian, and agap formed their between. A pair of opposing support members ispositioned within the gap in a stowed position, and are moved verticallyupwardly and horizontally outwardly through at least two positions ofdiffering height and horizontal spacing. The apparatus isdistinguishable for requiring dual holders and a pair of opposingsupport members. Additionally the present device is distinguishablebecause it uses shape memory polymers. The Jankovic patent makes it hardto use multiple size cups and a single holder.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,844 issued on Jun. 6, 2002 Herman J. Salenbauch etal. describes a variable sized vehicle beverage container holder devicecomprising hollow cylindrical opera and lower parts connected by aplurality a broad-shaped connecting rods which are tilted by rotation ofone of the parts to reduce the inner diameter to clamp the beveragecontainer. This device is distinguishable requiring adjustment of aclamp. The present device does not require the adjustment of any device,all the user is required to do is to insert the cup into a warm SMP orcomposite matrix.

The prior art discussed is not meant to be inclusive of the entire fieldof cup holders, but rather provides a general overview of the currentstate of the art as there are likely dozens if not hundreds of patentswhich relate to the art of cup holders in automobiles. In general thesecup holders are generally rigid and often do not fit containers ofdesired beverages well. More often than not, cup holders are oftenoversized, to some degree, to allow more containers to fit within, butthis adaptation has limitations as smaller containers will not be wellsecured and may tend to tip over while in route.

Therefore there is a need in the field of cup holders for an adjustablecup holder that is sufficiently adjustable in size to fit beveragecontainers of almost all sizes securely. Additionally, there is a needfor a device to assist in securing material in a cargo container frommoving during transit without the need for time-consuming straps andother devices to be put in place or to force a cargo container to waituntil it is completely full before shipment, such delays may cause thecontainers to not be shipped for several days or even weeks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present device at its most basic utilizes shape memory polymers toassist in securely storing devices inside cargo containers adapted forstoring materials or other containers. More specifically the presentdevice is directed towards cup holders in automobiles and other vehiclesto assist in securing beverage containers and other liquid carryingcontainers securely in place without regard to the shape or size of thebeverage container or liquid container in relation to the size or shapeof the cup holder.

The current device can have an outer dimension of any geometric shape.In the preferred embodiments, the outer dimension of the device will besuch that it can be easily contained in an automobile to hold the cupsof its passengers. However, this device is not limited to its use inautomobiles. The present device could be used in cargo containers of allshapes and sizes, including but not limited to cargo containers forships, containers for highway transportation, railway cars, and thecargo portions of an aircraft. Additionally, those of skill in the artwill realize that this device is not limited to securing liquidcontaining devices as they can be used to hold in place other fragilecargo such as glass, pieces of art, delicate electronic equipment, andother similar devices.

In the preferred embodiment for use in vehicles, the cup holder's outerdimensions are cylindrical to accommodate the vast majority of cups.However, the shape can be square, rectangular, cubic or other geometricsize to accommodate any device which the driver or passenger's of anautomobile wish to store. In the preferred embodiment the SMP istypically a pure SMP it with an electrical conductor running through thecenter of the SMP to allow electricity to pass through it. Theresistance of the wire, when electricity is passed through it, willcreate heat, and this heat is used to activate the SMP. However, thoseof skill in the art will appreciate that it is possible to activate theSMP through other means, such as light, UV radiation, magnetism, andother electromagnetic radiation. Additionally SMP composites can be usedin lieu of pure SMP to hold the devices in place depending on thestructural and mechanical properties desired. Finally those of skill inthe art will appreciate that other shape memory materials may bedeveloped over time and that these shape memory materials can be used inplace of the SMP and SMP composites to realize the full potential of thepresent device.

Therefore, it is an object of the present device to provide a device forholding other devices in place. It is a further object of this device toprovide for a device to hold cups or other containers or devices inplace in a vehicle. It is a further object of this device to provide fora device to hold cups or other containers and devices in place in anautomobile while it is in motion or while it is standing still.

It is also an object of the present device to provide for a device forholding materials inside a cargo container in place. Is a further objectof this device to provide for a device to hold objects in place inside acargo container while it is in motion, whether that cargo container ison a ship, truck, plane, train, or other vehicle.

These and other object of the present device will become readilyapparent to those of skill in the art upon further review of thefollowing specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the cup holder with shape memorypolymer strands in the interior of the cup holder so as to prevent cupsor other devices from being inserted into the cup holder.

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the same cup holder.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the cup holder with a cup thatcannot penetrate into the interior of the cup holder because of theshape memory polymer strands.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the same cup that cannot penetrate theinterior of the cup holder.

FIG. 2C shows a side view of a cup beginning to deform the shape memorypolymer strands after the shape memory polymer strands have beenactivated and how the shape memory polymer strands are beginning toconform to the outer dimensions of the cup.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a cup which has been fully insertedinto the cup holder.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of a cup which has been fully inserted intothe cup holder and how the shape memory polymer strands have conformedto the outer dimensions of the cup.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the cup holder after the cup has beenremoved and how the shape memory polymer strands retain the shape of theouter dimensions of the cup while it is removed from the cup holder.

FIG. 5 shows a pair of shape memory polymer strips attached to a rigidbase that which is a second embodiment of the device.

FIG. 6 shows how the shape memory polymer strips attached to the rigidbase will deform and conform to the shape of a cup inserted betweenthem, thereby tightly gripping the cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Cup holders are a desired feature of most motor vehicles includingautomobiles, trains, and airplanes. These cup holders are used by avariety of people to hold a variety of different sizes of mugs, cups,glasses, and other similar beverage containers and other devices.

The present device is directed towards holding cargo in securely inplace inside a container. This is accomplished through the use of a hardexterior in combination with shape memory polymer, hereinafter referredto as SMP, or SMP composites which are attached to the exterior. SMP isa chemical that is rigid and hard while below its transition temperatureyet, it becomes a soft and pliable and elastic when it is above itstransition temperature. It is this ability to transition from a soft toa hard state easily that makes SMP very useful in this present device.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the devices describedherein are directed towards securely holding an object in place throughthe unique properties of shape memory materials. In the preferredembodiment, a cup holder of cylindrical design is placed inside anautomobile. As shown in FIG. 1A, the interior of a cup holder, 2, islined with shape memory polymer, 4, such that the entire interior isinaccessible to a cup or other device, as shown in FIG. 1B, while theshape memory polymer is in its hard rigid state. In the preferredembodiment the SMP or SMP composite is manufactured as multiple thinstrips attached at one end to the side of the cup holder with the otherend of the SMP strip attached at or near the center of the bottom of thecup holder. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that theSMP can be manufactured as larger strips of varying size and shape, thecup holder can use more or fewer strips, and the strips can berepositioned to accommodate a specific application. It will be furtherapparent to those of skill in the art that different types of SMP andSMP composites can be utilized depending on the desired mechanicalproperties as discussed in more detail below.

Until the SMP or SMP composite is activated it is difficult for any cupto be placed in the cup holder as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. As seenin FIGS. 2A and 2B a cup, 20, is unable to force the SMP strips, 4, tomove and the cup, 20, cannot penetrate into the interior of thecylindrical cup holder, 2. However, once the SMP or SMP composite isactivated, the results of which are seen in FIG. 2C, the SMP or SMPcomposite, 6, will become soft and pliable and the cup, 20, or otherdevice may be inserted into the container with relative ease. As FIG. 2Cshows as the cup, 20, is inserted into the cup holder, 2, the SMP or SMPcomposite, 6, will begin to conform to outer dimensions of the cup, 20.Finally, as is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, once the cup, 20, has beeninserted into the cup holder, 2, the SMP or SMP composite, 8, has fullyand tightly conformed to the outer dimensions of the cup, 20, withlittle, if any, usable space lost because of the SMP.

Once the SMP or SMP composite has been deactivated, as shown in FIG. 4,the SMP or SMP composite, 8, will retain the shape of the cup or otherdevice that had been inserted into the cup holder, 2. The SMP or SMPcomposite can be returned to its original shape, as seen in FIG. 1A,simply by activating the SMP or SMP composite once again.

The chemical structure of SMP or SMP composite is such that it remembersits original shape. As previously stated, when an SMP is activated, itis soft and elastic, and when it is deactivated it is hard and rigid.Once the SMP is activated the SMP generally can be deformed into anydesired shape. The SMP must then be deactivated while maintaining adesired deformed shape to lock in the deformation. Once the deformationis locked in, the polymer network cannot return to its memorized ororiginal shape due to activation barriers. However, once these barriersare removed, the SMP will freely, and without any additional force,return to its memory shape. It is this process the present applicationemploys to return the SMP or SMP composites to their original shape.

As shown in FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the present applicationconsists of one base, 32, and two gripping arms, 30. The base is mostpreferably a permanently hard and rigid material. While composite areparticularly preferred as the base, other metals, plastics, polymers andother similar material may be used. The base should be rigid enough tosupport the weight of a full cup and wide enough to stabilize the cupduring reconfiguration of the cup holder gripping arms and movement ofthe vehicle. The gripping arms should be made of SMP. More preferablythese arms should be made of SMP composites.

As seen in FIG. 6, upon activation of the SMP or SMP composite grippingarms, 34, a cup may be slid between the gripping arms, 34, to a pointwhere the cup, 40, is firmly secured. Once the cup, 40, is firmly inplace, the driver or passenger needs only to deactivate the SMP or SMPcomposite. The gripping arms will retain the shape of the cup and willrevert to their memory shape only after the arms have been activatedonce again.

In both embodiments it is preferred that these SMPs or SMP compositesshould have an integrated heating mechanism, as the preferred method ofactivation is by heat. Preferably the heating mechanism consists ofwires embedded into the SMP or SMP composite, which provide resistanceheating when a current is passed through them. As mentioned above,heating activates the SMP; however, other methods are available foractivating the SMP including light, UV radiation, other electromagneticradiation, water, and magnetic fields. It will be apparent to one ofskill in this art that there are many different ways, besides resistanceheating, to heat the SMP or SMP composites, such as convective andradiation heating, which are hereby included within the scope of thepresent device.

All that would preferably be required to activate the SMP or SMPcomposites is for the driver or passenger of the vehicle to flip aswitch which will pass electricity through the resistive elementsembedded into the SMP composite. The electricity is most preferablyprovided by the internal generator of the vehicle in which the cupholder resides, however, external power supplies could be used. Aselectricity passes through these resistive elements heat is generated.This heat then activates the SMP or SMP composites, making it soft andpliable. In order to deactivate the SMP or SMP composites the driver orpassenger simply needs to flip the switch so that electricity ceases topass through the internal resistive elements in the SMP or SMPcomposites. Once electricity has ceased to flow in the resistiveelements, the SMP or SMP composite will quickly cool below theactivation temperature of the SMP, thereby deactivating the SMP or SMPcomposite. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that othermethods and sources exist for the needed electricity in any vehicle.

While SMPs are preferred, and SMP composites particularly preferred, itwill be apparent to those of skill in the art that any shape memorymaterial could be used in the present device. Additionally, it will beapparent to those of skill in the art that any method which transitionsa shape memory material from its hard, rigid state to a soft, pliablestate is covered by this device.

In general, the preferred SMP is a styrene copolymer based SMP asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,481, however, other types of SMPs suchas cyanate ester, polyurethane, polyethylene homopolymer,styrene-butadiene, polyisoprene, copolymers of stearyl acrylate andacrylic acid or methyl acrylate, norbornene ordimethaneoctahydronapthalene homopolymers or copolymers, malemide andother shape memory polymers are within the scope of the present device.Additionally other shape memory materials, such as shape memory metalsare also within the scope of the present device.

Because of the properties inherent in shape memory polymers, compositesutilizing shape memory polymer as the resin matrix can be temporarilysoftened, reshaped, and rapidly hardened in real-time to function in avariety of structural configurations. They can be fabricated with nearlyany type of fabric, and creative reinforcements can result in dramaticshape changes in functional structures and they are machinable.

Therefore, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that thepresent device provides a quick and easy way to utilize composite andshape memory polymer technology to create a cup holder that has theflexibility to easily and quickly deform to closely and tightly matchthe outer dimensions of a cup or other device with the strength andperformance of composites and similar metal substances.

The SMP composites may comprise a composite material formed from atleast one layer of fibrous material in combination with a shape memorypolymer. In one form, the fibrous material may be embedded within theshape memory polymer or, the fibrous material can be impregnated withthe shape memory polymer.

The fibrous material may be chosen from carbon nanofibers, carbon fiber,spandex, chopped fiber, random fiber mat, fabric of any material,continuous fiber, fiberglass, or other types of textile fibers, yarns,and fabrics. For example, the fibrous material may be present in theform of a flat woven article, a two-dimensional weave, or athree-dimensional weave.

The shape memory polymer may be selected from a host of polymer typesincluding styrene, cyanate esters, maleamide polymers, epoxy polymers,or vinyl ester polymers. In some cases, the shape memory polymer will bea thermoset resin.

The SMP or SMP composite, as discussed above, may include a thermalenergy generation means embedded therein. Such thermal energy generationmeans may comprise, for example, thermally conductive fibers orelectrical conductors.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, activation of theshape memory polymer is achieved by heating the polymer above itstransition temperature. The heating may, for example, be done byinductive heating, hot air, or by heat lamps. Additionally, when therepair material comprises a thermal energy generation means embeddedtherein, it will most preferably be activated by applying electricalcurrent to the thermal energy generation means.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, activation anddeactivation of the shape memory polymer may be achieved by applicationof electromagnetic radiation such as in the form of visible light orultraviolet light or other electromagnetic waves. Additionally wateractivated SMP or SMP composites could be used.

The deformation is preferably achieved via mechanical means by pressingthe cup or other device into the cup holder such that the SMP or SMPcomposites will conform to the outer dimensions of the cup or device.

The SMP or SMP composite can be attached to the cup holder's outerstructure via thermally cured or pressure sensitive adhesives, or morepreferably, through mechanical means such as screws, bolts, or othersimilar means.

In addition to shape memory polymers, other shape memory materials suchas shape memory alloys may be mentioned as being effective.

In another embodiment, the SMP or SMP composites could be used tosecurely hold material inside a cargo container such as those used intransporting material via, air, water or land. A cargo container can beconstructed such that the SMP or SMP composites will be used to holdmaterial in place during shipping so as to minimize the likelihood ofdamage occurring to the material during shipment.

Although this device has been described with respect to certainpreferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that a wide variety ofequivalents may be substituted for those specific elements shown anddescribed herein, all without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A device for securely holding at least one item in place comprising:a. pre-forming a material into a desired memory shape, said materialcomprising a shape memory material and attaching said shape memorymaterial to a rigid structure or frame, wherein said structure or frameand said shape memory material can be of similar or different andvarying geometric shapes and sizes; b. activating said shape memorymaterial such that said shape memory material becomes soft; c. deformingsaid shape memory material into a shape adapted for holding said item insecurely in place; and d. de-activating said shape memory material whilemaintaining said shape memory material in its deformed state such thatsaid item is held in place by the deformed shape memory material.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1 where said shape memory material is shape memorypolymer.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said shape memory materialcomprises a composite material formed from at least one layer of fibrousmaterial in combination with a shape memory polymer.
 4. The device ofclaim 3 wherein said fibrous material is embedded in said shape memorypolymer.
 5. The device of claim 3 wherein said fibrous material isimpregnated with said shape memory polymer.
 6. The device of claim 3wherein said fibrous material is carbon nano-fibers, carbon fiber,spandex, chopped fiber, random fiber mat, fabric of any material,continuous fiber, fiberglass, or other type of textile fabric.
 7. Thedevice of claim 3 wherein said fibrous material is in the form of a flatweave, two dimensional weave, or three dimensional weave pattern.
 8. Thedevice of claim 2 wherein said shape memory polymer is selected from thegroup consisting of a styrene shape memory polymer, cyanate ester shapememory polymer, maleimide shape memory polymer, epoxy shape memorypolymer, or vinyl ester shape memory polymer.
 9. The device of claim 8wherein said shape memory polymer resin is a thermoset resin.
 10. Thedevice of claim 3 wherein said shape memory polymer is selected from thegroup consisting of a styrene shape memory polymer, cyanate ester shapememory polymer, maleimide shape memory polymer, epoxy shape memorypolymer, or vinyl ester shape memory polymer.
 11. The device of claim 10wherein said shape memory polymer resin is a thermoset resin.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said shape memory material comprises anembedded thermal energy generation means.
 13. The device of claim 12wherein said embedded thermal energy generation means comprisesthermally conductive fibers.
 14. The device of claim 12 wherein saidthermal energy generation means comprises an electrical conductor. 15.The device of claim 12 wherein said shape memory material comprises anembedded thermal energy generation means and said heating is by applyingelectrical current to said embedded thermal energy generation means. 16.The device of claim 1 wherein said activation of said shape memorymaterial is by heating said shape memory material above its transitiontemperature.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein said heating is byinductive heating, hot air or by heat lamps.
 18. The device of claim 1wherein said activation of said shape memory material is achieved byapplication of electromagnetic radiation.
 19. The device of claim 18where said electromagnetic radiation is visible light or ultravioletlight.
 20. The device of claim 1 wherein said deforming is achieved bymechanical means.
 21. The device of claim 20 wherein deforming bymechanical means is accomplished by pressing said item against saidshape memory material such that said shape memory material conforms tothe outer dimensions of said item.
 22. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid deactivation of said shape memory material is achieved by reducingthe temperature of said shape memory material below its activationtemperature.
 23. The device of claim 1 wherein said deactivation of saidshape memory material is achieved by application of electromagneticradiation.
 24. The device of claim 23 wherein said electromagneticradiation is visible light or ultraviolet light.
 25. The device of claim1 wherein said shape memory material is a shape memory alloy or metal.26. A process for securely holding an item in place comprising: a.preforming a shape memory material into a desired shape; b. attachingsaid preformed shape memory material to a rigid structure or frame; c.activating said shape memory material such that said shape memorymaterial becomes soft; d. deforming said shape memory material into adeformed shape adapted for securing said item in place; e. deactivatingsaid shape memory material while maintaining it in its deformed shape.